Last night I...
Last night I got caught up in the flurry of political opinions flying around. I posted a few things on Facebook and a few more on Twitter. Probably nothing to get too excited about. But before I knew it I had become frustrated, discouraged, disheartened and mentally I was hyped up...in an unhealthy way.
I was frustrated and discouraged - even angry at some who call themselves followers of Christ at the words they were saying...getting picky, looking for "what he/she really meant", making quick judgments, and only dividing rather than uniting.
I was reading and listening to so many angles, that I found myself beginning to think and even comment with the critical, condescending, and sarcastically negative attitude of those I was allowing into my brain via TV, Twitter, & Facebook. It wasn't all bad. There were many positive comments directed toward creating unity - but it is too easy to get sucked up into the criticism and condescension.
I'm not sure what triggered it, but it was like someone threw a shovelful of Minnesota snow in my face. And I found myself asking, "What am I doing? I am becoming like those I am angry and frustrated at." What's worse is my mind was not on the good but on trying to find the negative that I could point out to others so they would see me as some kind of wise man.
Bottom line is my eyes and mind were not on Jesus and this literally shook me up - emotionally disturbing me. I had to get back to looking at and thinking about Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of my faith. He is in sovereign control. He will lead me and provide for me and make my life full - not the pro-this or pro-that person or party or movement or opinion.
I had to do something to change this. It's stupid to think I could keep reading what I was reading and think I would change. I had to take immediate and maybe even extreme action to get my mind off the political chaos and back on Jesus.
So I "unfollowed" & "unfriended" several people and media on Facebook & Twitter. I don't need to read their opinions that, in my opinion, fuel division and pride. It might mean I am less informed, but it will mean I am less stressed, less discouraged, and most important less out of focus of Jesus.
As I went to bed, I confessed my sin and made a commitment to not get involved with politics to that degree. I will spend my time reading what Jesus said. I will spend my time listening to and helping and standing behind the average, ordinary, struggling to make ends meet person - the person who just wants their marriage to work better, or just wants to get out of debt, or just wants to escape the pit of depression or loneliness, or wants to move on after a bad divorce, or win the battle over porn addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, food addiction.
I must keep my eyes and mind focused on Jesus. That's my calling.
Created over 1 year ago
